Vocabulary

functional units of the lung; the thin-walled chambers surrounded by networks of capillaries that are the site of respiratory exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

manubriosternal angle, the articulation of the manubrium and body of the sternum, continuous with the second rib.

cessation of breathing.

slow breathing, <10 breaths per minute, regular rate.

one of the smaller respiratory passageways into which the segmental bronchi divide.

the normal breath sound heard over major bronchi, characterized by moderate pitch and an equal duration of inspiration and expiration.

millions of hairlike cells lining the tracheobronchial tree.

(rales) abnormal, discontinuous, adventitious lung sounds heard on inspiration.

space between the ribs.

difficult, labored breathing.

a palpable vibration vibration from the spoken voice felt over the chest wall.

increased rate and depth of breathing.

rapid, shallow breathing, >24 breaths per minute.

ability to breathe easily only in an upright position.

striking over the chest wall with short, sharp blows of the fingers to determine the size and density of the underlying organ.

low-pitched, musical, snoring, adventitious lung sound caused by airflow obstruction from secretions.

the rounded upper extremity of either lung.

the soft, low-pitched, normal breath sounds heard over peripheral lung fields.

sword-shaped lower tip of the sternum.

high-pitched, musical, squeaking adventitious lung sound.

plural of apex.

acute chest pain that occurs when myocardial demand exceeds its oxygen supply.

the left semilunar valve separating the left ventricle and the aorta.

tip of the heart pointing down toward the 5th left intercostal space.

(point of maximal impulse, PMI) pulsation created as the left ventricle rotates against the chest wall during systole, normally at the 5th left intercostal space in the midclavicular line.

cup-shaped endpiece used for soft, low-pitched heart sounds.

slow heart rate, <50 beats per minute in the adult.

bulbous enlargement of distal phalanges of fingers and toes that occurs with chronic cyanotic heart and lung conditions.

dusky blue mottling of the skin and mucous membranes due to excessive amount of reduced hemoglobin in the blood.

flat endpiece of the stethoscope used for hearing relatively high-pitched heart soudns.

the heart's filling phase.

difficult, labored breathing.

swelling of legs or dependent body part due to increased interstitial fluid.

traditional ausculatory area in the 3rd left intercostal space.

occurs with closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves signaling the beginning of systole.

imaginary vertical line bisecting the middle of the clavicle in each hemithorax.

left AV valve separating the left atria and ventricle.

uncomfortabe awareness of rapid or irregular heart rate.

area of the chest wall overlying the heart and great vessels.

right semilunar valve separating the right ventricle and pulmonary artery.

occurs with closure of the semilunar valves, aortic and pulmonic, and signals the end of systole.

temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased cerebral blood flow (fainting), caused by ventricular asystole, pronounced bradycardia, or ventricular fibrillation.

the heart's pumping phase.

rapid heart rate, >90 beats per minute in the adult.

broader area of heart's outline located at the 3rd right and left intercostal space.